Gülay Diri, a 57-year-old folk artist from Antalya’s İbradı district, has been preserving her region’s oral traditions by performing centuries-old lullabies, laments, and folk songs. Recognized as a “Living Human Treasure” by Türkiye’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Diri plays the traditional tambourine and works to pass down her heritage.
Born into a nomadic Yörük family, she developed her passion for folk music while herding sheep. Encouraged by her husband, she later recorded an album featuring İbradı folk songs, which deeply moved the local community. “An 86-year-old man told me he hadn’t heard these songs in 40 years,” Diri said. Her dedication ensures that the cultural legacy of İbradı lives on.
Ayşe Çatlı
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